#mizuno nanoha

[avfanatics]

MOODYZ

Tono Karin 塔乃花鈴

Ichinose Aoi 一ノ瀬あおい

Ideapocket

Asamiya Rana 朝宮ラナ

MADONNA

Hanazawa Mirei 花澤美玲

Matsuno Ran 松野蘭

S1

Mizuno Nanoha 水乃なのは

Hana Alice 花アリス

DEBUT JULY 2024 Best Monthly AV Newcomer

[gaaralover55]

Currently working on Ami and her body is Done now. But I want to hear your ideas pepole for her Device Axel Boreas!

Should it be:

Raiper/knife/gun

Knife/kori blade/sniper gun

Scepter/kori blade/ twin daggers

[sailorheadcanons]

Magical girl franchises exist in the Sailor Moon universe, and are considered to be anime inspired by the Senshi’s missions.

The Senshi each have their own different opinions on this phenomenon: Usagi, Chibiusa and Hotaru are huge fans of the different media franchises and have a tradition of rewatching/rereading the anime and comics of the shows they like the best every year (Usagi and Chibiusa like Precure and Kamichama Karin the best respectively, while Hotaru has a big soft spot for non-Japanese magical girls, and ships Iris and Mephisto from LoliRock like FedEx).

Ami and Makoto marvel over how their actions as Senshi have had this much impact on the media, and see it as both a huge honor and a huge responsibility (they like Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and Kill la Kill respectively). Rei doesn’t really keep up with the trend, but is a casual fan of Revolutionary Girl Utena and sometimes takes the time to leave a nice comment on people’s magical girl OCs/fanmade worlds if she happens to stumble upon them. Minako would be lying if she said she watched/read anything other than Cute High Earth Defense Club Love and Woof Woof Power, but she would love to adapt stage versions of some of the more traditionally mainstream stories and play a main character herself.

The other Outers generally have more mixed feelings as they feel like these stories make light of their duties as Senshi, but that doesn’t mean they dislike them (Haruka likes Magic Knight Rayearth and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Michiru likes Cardcaptor Sakura, Shugo Chara and Princess Tutu, and Setsuna likes Flip Flappers)

[deann1120]

Favorite Anime Character Meme Part 4: Tokyo Mew Mew, Lyrical Nanoha, Corrector Yui, Sailor Moon, Little Witch Academia (SPOILERS AHEAD)

[joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

top 5 magical girls of all time, ranked. Go go go go go og

This is a more interesting challenge if I limit myself to one per franchise so as to not have loads of Madoka rep, so we're doing one per franchise. Also finding an order for this was fucking hell. Also finding and taking my own good images for some of the girls was also fucking hell. Okay let's go.

5. Cocona Cocomine

It's been so long since I did a top 5 that I don't actually know how to introduce each segment. Anyway we start with Cocona, from Flip Flappers! Really hard not to love Cocona honestly - she's very down to earth and relatable, especially for the genre she operates in, but still ends up on an arc all about becoming proactive in her life and making her own decisions for herself and all that based shit I love a bunch. Being very very cute and very very cool and very very gay on top of that enhances her even further. Watch Flip Flappers.

4. Ami Mizuno

Ami is perhaps the simplest character we'll be talking about today - Sailor Moon of course having quite simplistic character writing and a structure that lends itself less to long form character arcs and more so to just kinda vibing with a familiar cast that don't change all that much, but hey we love that structure a bunch so! Ami is a very smart and sweet and nice girl who's a little socially awkward and struggles to interact with others, but she tries her hardest and people are very touched by how kind she is and it's the best and I love her and the literal best episode of the entire series is about Ami so hey. Also blue is my favourite colour and Ami is one of the most blue girls ever, we love.

3. Fate Testarossa

Fate is similarly a fairly simple character, although hey she does actually have a longer form character arc across s1 of Nanoha and then the rest of the show having actual meaningful timeskips means we get to see what sort of person Fate grows up into as well and it's awesome! Poor little girl was like the sweetest person alive but forced into being a bit of a dick thanks to an abusive mother, though with the help of Nanoha, Fate is saved from her mother and herself, and starts being able to live truly to herself and all that good stuff. From then on she is literally the most genuinely kind and sweet and loving person in the entire fucking multiverse, on top of being an absolute fucking badass too. And then in StrikerS and shit she's just like ready to adopt every single orphan in the universe and she likes to drive cool expensive cars and aaaaaah she's just so cool man. Need to rewatch Nanoha soon.

2. Hibiki Tachibana

I literally don't actually know where to start with Hibiki, right. Because there's literally so much to love that what are you even supposed to say? In many ways she's the genuine platonic ideal of what a magical girl is and should be and ends up being a literal perfect protagonist for Symphogear as a series as well because of that. The character arcs she goes through and how she comes out on top of it all having learned and applied whatever lessons are relevant that season is fucking gripping as shit, by the end of it all we have a girl who's as based as you can possibly get, someone who can create a history with the light God could not know. I absolutely adore her. Also, she punches things. She holds a determination to fist. This is objectively better than any other magical girl weapon and more magical girls need to just literally throw hands. Plus Aoi Yuuki is perfect casting for her and Hibiki is literally one of the best voice performances I've heard in any show ever. Stan Hibiki.

1. Homura Akemi

The sheer baggage surrounding Homura as a character is such that one could very easily write a full length novel going into just her specifically. And I'm not about to be the person doing that! So I'm gonna try keep this brief. In many ways, Homura is kind of the antithesis of everything all these other characters embody and represent, but in many ways she's also a twisted exaggeration of some of those elements too? Hibiki wants to protect Miku so fights gods as an example, meanwhile Homura wants to keep Madoka safe so rewrites the universe and declares herself a Demon for it. Fate did horrible things under her mother, but tried to make up for it through the rest of her life, meanwhile Homura did horrible things trying to help Madoka, and decided that she's evil and doesn't even deserve to stay friends with that same Madoka. At the same time though calling Homura a twisted exaggeration seems unfair since that's just, by and large how she sees herself? Homura is a wounded 14 year old girl who got thrown into an inescapable labyrinthian time loop and got increasingly mindbroken from the whole thing, crushed so deeply by the experience that she doesn't even register herself as human anymore, she can't even think of her feelings as valid. In the truest sense imaginable she is a magical girl operating inside of a perfect yet painful tragedy. It's a tragedy that reveres the magical girl genre but Homura wants to cut herself out of that entire equation, declaring herself an inhuman devil that doesn't deserve Madoka's love. It's tragic. It's painful. It's compelling as all shit though. Homura is nothing like any other magical girl and we adore her for it. Hope in movie 4 she can forgive herself.

Anyway think that's it. Homura in #1 will likely never change but honestly with the rest the order is fairly loose and I might not even agree with it like an hour from now lol. But hey that was fun, ty for asking.

[missmyloko]

Onshūkai 温習会 - 2019

For the first time in decades the date for Onshūkai has changed! Onshūkai will be held from October 3rd to 8th at the Kyoto Prefectural Center for Arts and Culture at The Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. Participants Natori Geiko: Mamezuru (まめ鶴), Koman (小萬), Sonomi (そ乃美). Mamehiro )(豆弘), Takazuru (孝鶴), Mameka (豆花), Korin (小りん), Fukue (フク愛), Mamechizu (豆千鶴), Terutoyo (照豊), Mameryō (豆涼), Fukuha (福葉), Satomi (里美), Mameya (まめ弥), Kokimi (小喜美), Kogiku (小菊), Mamesuzu (まめ鈴), Koai (小愛), Mihoko (美帆子), Mao (真生), Yukako (有佳子), Makiko (槇子), Ichiyuri (市有里), Koyō (小耀), Kosen (小扇), and Sayaka (紗矢佳). Geiko: Mayuha (満友葉), Koyoshi (小芳), Mamemaru (豆まる), Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Masaki (真咲), Mameroku (豆六), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Eriha (恵里葉), Ichitomi (市十美), Katsue (佳つ江), Shino (紫乃), Ichiharu (市晴), Marika (茉利佳), Mamesumi (豆純), and Mameryū (まめ柳). Jikata Geiko: Emiji (恵美二), Kimiya (君彌), Komomo (小桃), Danyū (だん祐), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Yoshimame (芳豆), Kimizuru (君鶴), Danka (だん香), Fukunami (福奈美), Masuho (ます穂), Yukizono (幸苑), Danmitsu (だん満), Mahori (まほ璃), and Emino (恵美乃). Maiko: Mameharu (まめ春), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mitsuki (美月), Tomoko (朋子), Kohana (小花), Konami (小なみ), Mametama (豆珠), Tatsuha (多都葉), Yuriha (ゆり葉), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Mizuno (瑞乃), Mameyo (豆誉), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Asuka (あす佳), Ichihiro (市紘), Konatsu (小奈都), Mariko (槇里子), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Miwako (美羽子), Mameyui (豆結), Mameju (まめ樹),  Suzuno (鈴乃), Kosumi (小純), Mameaya (まめ彩), Asako (亜佐子), and Masako (槇沙子). Shift 1: October 3rd and 6th Scene 1: Shiki San Basō (四季三葉草) - Three Grass/Leaves of The Four Seasons Dancers Sennen/1,000 Years (千歳): Mameya (まめ弥) Okina/Old Man (翁): Mameryō (豆涼) San Basō/Third Dance Expression (三番曳): Satomi (里美) Joruri Singers Kiyomoto Nobuhatsuma (清元延初磨), Kiyomoto Nobukiyoe (清元延清恵), and Yoshimame (芳豆) Shamisen Kiyomoto () and Emiji (恵美二) High Pitch Shamisen  Kimiya (君彌) Scene 2: Hime Sanja (姫三社) - Three Shrine Princesses Dancers Mizuno (瑞乃), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Konatsu (小奈都), Miwako (美羽子), Mameyo (豆誉), and Mameyui (豆結) Singers Kimiya (君彌), Danka (だん香), and Danmitsu (だん満) Shamisen Masuho (ます穂), Yukizono (幸苑), and Mahori (まほ璃) Scene 3: Yuki Tsuki Hana (雪月花) - Snow Moon Flower Part 1: Yuki (雪) - Snow Dancers Chūbei (忠兵衛): Mamesuzu (まめ鈴) Umegawa (梅川): Ichiyuri (市有里) Singers Komomo (小桃) and Masuho (ます穂) Shamisen Danyū (だん祐) and Fukunami (福奈美) Part 2: Tsuki (月) - Moon Dancer Mamechizu (豆千鶴) Joruri Performers Mamechiyo (豆千代) and Danka (だん香) Shamisen Emiji (恵美二) and Kimizuru (君鶴) Part 3: Hana (花) - Flower Dancers Yukiko/Snow Child (雪子): Mihoko (美帆子) Kōko/Happiness Child (幸子): Koyō (小耀) Miyoko/Mysterious Child (妙子): Makiko (槇子) Joruri Performers Uji Haru (宇治はる) and Uji Shiho (宇治しほ)  Shamisen Uji Oto (宇治をと) and Uji Han (宇治はん) Scene 4: Yukari No Tsuki (由縁の月) : Acquaintance of The Moon  Dancer Mamezuru (まめ鶴) Musicians Komasu (小ます), Danyū (だん祐), Masuho (ます穂), and Yukizono (幸苑) Scene 5: Musume Dojoji Yori (娘道成寺より) - An Excerpt From Musume Dojoji Dancers Geiko (芸妓): Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Mameroku (豆六), and Katsutomo (佳つ智) Maiko (舞妓): Tomoko (朋子), Yuriha (ゆり葉), Mametama (豆珠), Mameharu (まめ春), Tatsuha (多都葉), and Mitsuki (美月) Singers Komomo (小桃), Danka (だん香), and Yukizono (幸苑) Shamisen Danyū (だん祐), Kimizuru (君鶴), and Kogiku (小菊) Shift 2: October 4th and 7th Scene 1: Hime Sanja (姫三社) - Three Shrine Princesses Dancers Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Ichihiro (市紘), Mariko (槇里子), Nanoha (菜乃葉), and Asuka (あす佳) Singers Kimiya (君彌), Danka (だん香), and Danmitsu (だん満) Shamisen Masuho (ます穂), Yukizono (幸苑), and Mahori (まほ璃) Scene 2: Kiku No Sakazuki (菊の盃) - Chrysanthemum Sake Cup Dancers Mameka (豆花), Fukue (フク愛), and Terutoyo (照豊) Joruri Performers Mamechiyo (豆千代), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃) Shamisen Emiji (恵美二), Tokiwazu Mitsumi (常磐津三都貴), and Kimizuru (君鶴) Scene 3: Hōshō (老松) - Old Pine Tree Singers Komomo (小桃), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃) Shamisen Masuho (ます穂), Kimizuru (君鶴), Mahori (まほ璃), and Danmitsu (だん満) Fue Makiko (槇子) Kotsuzumi Koyoshi (小芳), Mamemaru (豆まる), and Sonomi (そ乃美) Otsuzumi Yukako (有佳子) Taiko Mao (真生) Scene 4: Yukari No Tsuki (由縁の月) : Acquaintance of The Moon Dancer Koman (小萬) Musicians Komasu (小ます), Danyū (だん祐), Masuho (ます穂), and Yukizono (幸苑) Scene 5: Suki No Otaue (主基の御田植) - The Rice Planting Festival Dancers Tanushi/Main Rice Planter (田主): Mayuha (満友葉)   Saotome/Young Rice Planters (早乙女): Shino (紫乃), Katsue (佳つ江), Mamesumi (豆純), Marika (茉利佳), Eriha (恵里葉), Ichiharu (市晴), Mameryū (まめ柳), and Ichitomi (市十美) Singers Mamechiyo (豆千代), Yukizono (幸苑), and Yoshimame (芳豆) Shamisen Danyū (だん祐), Kimizuru (君鶴), and Emino (恵美乃) Shift 3: October 5th and 8th Scene 1: Shiki San Basō (四季三葉草) - Three Grass/Leaves of The Four Seasons Dancers Sennen/1,000 Years (千歳): Kogiku (小菊) Okina/Old Man (翁): Kokimi (小喜美) San Basō/Third Dance Expression (三番曳): Fukuha (福葉) Joruri Singers Kiyomoto Nobuhatsuma (清元延初磨), Kiyomoto Nobukiyoe (清元延清恵), and Danka (だん香) Shamisen Kiyomoto Shiba (清元紫葉) and Emino (恵美乃) High Pitch Shamisen Kimizuru (君鶴) Scene 2: Momiji Gari (紅葉売) - Selling Red Maple Leaves Dancers Mameaya (まめ彩), Suzuno (鈴乃), Kosumi (小純), Masako (槇沙子), Mameju (まめ樹), and Asako (亜佐子) Singers Yukizono (幸苑) and Emino (恵美乃) Shamisen Komomo (小桃), Fukunami (福奈美), Fumino (章乃), and Satsuki (紗月) Scene 3: Yuki Tsuki Hana (雪月花) - Snow Moon Flower Part 1: Yuki (雪) - Snow Dancers Chūbei (忠兵衛): Mao (真生) Umegawa (梅川): Kosen (小扇) Singers Komomo (小桃) and Masuho (ます穂) Shamisen Danyū (だん祐) and Fukunami (福奈美) Part 2: Tsuki (月) - Moon Dancer Sonomi (そ乃美) Joruri Performers Mamechiyo (豆千代) and Yoshimame (芳豆) Shamisen Emiji (恵美二) and Kimizuru (君鶴) Part 3: Hana (花) - Flower Dancers Yukiko/Snow Child (雪子): Sayaka (紗矢佳) Kōko/Happiness Child (幸子): Yukako (有佳子) Miyoko/Mysterious Child (妙子): Koai (小愛) Joruri Performers Uji Haru (宇治はる) and Uji Shiho (宇治しほ) Shamisen Uji Oto (宇治をと) and Uji Han (宇治はん) Scene 4: Kiku No Sakazuki (菊の盃) - Chrysanthemum Sake Cup Dancers Mamehiro (豆弘), Takazuru (孝鶴), and Korin (小りん) Joruri Performers Mamechiyo (豆千代), Yukizono (幸苑), and Emino (恵美乃) Shamisen Emiji (恵美二), Tokiwazu Mitsumi (常磐津三都貴), and Komomo (小桃) Scene 5: Musume Dojoji Yori (娘道成寺より) - An Excerpt From Musume Dojoji Dancers Geiko (芸妓): Koyoshi (小芳), Mamemaru (豆まる), Masaki (真咲), and Katsuhina (佳つ雛) Maiko (舞妓): Konami (小なみ), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Kohana (小花), Koeri (小衿), and Katsuhana (佳つ花) Singers Komomo (小桃), Yukizono (幸苑), and Danmitsu (だん満) Shamisen Danyū (だん祐), Kimizuru (君鶴), and Koyō (小耀). Notes About Scenes Shiki San Basō (四季三葉草) - Three Grass/Leaves of The Four Seasons This one is a bit complicated as it’s taken from a very old piece that has multiple parts to it. Each part is portrayed by the specific dancer (Sennen, Okina, and San Basō). This piece traditionally opens the bunraku puppet shows, so think of it as the opening warm up act ^^ Hime Sanja (姫三社) - Three Shrine Princesses I’ve covered this one before, and you can read my breakdown here.  Momiji Gari (紅葉売) - Selling Red Maple Leaves A very simple piece that’s danced at ozashiki in the autumn, it’s about a woman selling maple leaves.  Yuki Tsuki Hana (雪月花) - Snow Moon Flower This is another three part dance, although I can’t find much information on either part. Kiku No Sakazuki (菊の盃) - Chrysanthemum Sake Cup Based on a poem by Matsuo Basho, it is the story of a chrysanthemum cup whose imagery brings to mind that of a waterfall. I have no idea how this will be translated into dance though. Yukari No Tsuki (由縁の月) : Acquaintance of The Moon This one tells the story of a courtesan who thinks back on her lover and the time when she had to part from them, which lead her through a marshy field while the moon was bright in the sky. She does so while gazing on the moon in the present. Hōshō (老松) - Old Pine Tree This piece is used purely as a vocal intermission and tells the story of an old pine tree. Suki No Otaue (主基の御田植) - The Rice Planting Festival This piece is based on a real event that takes place annually in Kagawa and features brightly dressed participants who plant the first rice of the year while other participants dance around the field to keep things extra lively! Musume Dojoji Yori (娘道成寺より) - An Excerpt From Musume Dojoji Musume Dojoji is a very famous kabuki play about the dance of a maiden while at Dojoji Shrine. It’s very lively and playful, so it will be interesting to see how the Inoue School interprets it, especially with so many dancers on stage!

[magicalmonsterhero]

Magical Initiative: Prism trailer

A trailer for a magical girl multicross, inspired by the first two trailers for the 2012 Avengers movie.

Possible BGM songs: -Credens Justitiam -Edge of Seventeen (Stevie Nicks) -Fight Song (Rachel Platten) -Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar) -Holding Out for a Hero (Bonnie Tyler) -I Hate Myself for Loving You -Invincible (Pat Benatar) -Keeps Gettin’ Better (Christina Aguilera) -Moonlight Densetsu -One Woman Army (Porcelain Black) -Queen of the Night (Whitney Houston) -The Warrior (Scandal)

(Open on a street in chaos. Civilians are hurrying to take cover as Akanbes, Jikochuus, and Zetsuborgs wreak havoc all over the place. Cut to Joker [of the Bad End Kingdom] rising from a crouch, a strange staff topped with a violet orb in one hand.)

Joker (v/o): How desperate are you...

(Shot of Cure Heart, Cure Diamond, and Cure Rosetta guiding civilians to safety, while Cure Sword, Hayate Yagami, and the Wolkenritter provide aid to a small platoon of JSDF soldiers against several Jikochuus. Shot of Cure Flora, Cure Mermaid, and Cure Twinkle striding forward with confident expressions. Cut to Joker inside a containment cell, with Pluto standing outside glaring at him.)

Joker: That you call on delusional little girls to fight for you?

(Shot of Tsubasa Kazanari shoving Shirabe Tsukuyomi. Shot of a trembling Mami Tomoe holding her Soul Gem, which is half-full of taint. Shot of Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus restraining a furious Sailor Mars. Cut back to Pluto.)

Pluto: Not desperate. And they’re not delusional.

(Shot of the Smile, Doki Doki, and Go Princess Cures boarding the Venetia, a ship belonging to Sailor Pluto. Shot of Usagi Tsukino and Mana Aida shaking hands, their respective teams standing behind them. Cut to Joe Okada, Candy, Pafu, and Aroma entering the bridge.)

Okada: I think the time has come.

(Shot of Reika Aoki and Ami Mizuno in the Venetia’s training room, the former using a sandbag to demonstrate a few moves to the latter. Cut to Nanoha Takamachi, Fate Harlaown, and Hotaru Tomoe on the porch of the Tenoh-Kaioh residence, the latter seated on a porch swing.)

Nanoha: Saturn, we need you to come in.

Hotaru: What if Mama and Papa say no?

Fate: I think we can convince them.

(Shot of Mami conjuring and firing numerous muskets at an unseen target. Shot of Cure Sunny squaring off against Kyoko Sakura. Cut to the Smile Cures in civilian form, looking at Sailor Moon with resolute expressions.)

Yayoi: What are you asking us to do?

(Flashback shots of the Sailor Senshi, Smile, Doki Doki, & Go Princess Cures, and Symphogear girls fighting the Death Busters, the Bad End Kingdom, the Selfish Kingdom, Dys Dark, and a horde of Noise, respectively.)

Pluto (v/o): For centuries, magical girls have fought in teams.

(Shot of Chris Yukine and Maria Cadenzavna Eve hovering back to back as two especially large Akanbes approach from either side.)

Pluto (v/o): And whether the alliance was brief or lasting, they proved that there is strength in numbers.

(Shot of Sailor Jupiter leaping from the top of a skyscraper, landing on all fours atop the Venetia. Cure March lands beside her a moment later.)

Pluto (v/o): No matter how powerful you are on your own...

(Shot of Hibiki Tachibana flying high above a busy street, darting between tall buildings as she allows a draconic Zetsuborg to chase her.)

Pluto (v/o): ...you can do more in the war against evil...

(Shot of Usagi, Nanoha, Mami, Hibiki, Miyuki Hoshizora, Mana, and Haruka Haruno doing a team hand stack.)

Pluto (v/o): ...as part of a team.

(Montage of shots from various transformation sequences. Cut to Pluto, Hayate, Kyoko, Shirabe, and Cure Scarlet on the bridge.)

Kyoko: I don’t do team ups anymore.

Scarlet: What happened to your family wasn’t your fault. And you don’t need to worry about not having enough Grief Seeds either.

Kyoko: No, but everyone I get close to gets burned, one way or another.

(Cut to a barely conscious Cure Scarlet falling out of the sky.)

Nanoha (v/o): Hope, faith, love...

(Suddenly, there is a sound like a clown honking, and clown-form Charlotte soars up toward Scarlet. Kyoko, her hair aflame and her Puella Magi outfit replaced by Ophelia’s robe, is perched between Charlotte’s ear-wings.)

Nanoha (v/o): ...these are things that can never be destroyed.

(Kyoko holds out her arms, catching Scarlet with ease. Charlotte emits a triumphant honk before carrying both girls back down. Cut to Nanoha and Fate, Devices at the ready as they glare at someone offscreen.)

Fate: And that...is why you never had a chance.

(Montage of fight scenes, featuring all the magical girls save Pluto. Cut to title card.)

Magical💖Initiative: PRISM

(Cut to Mami, Hayate, Reika, Alice Yotsuba, Minami Kaido, and Tsubasa sitting at a table, having tea and cookies. Hayate, seeing Nagisa Momoe approaching, pulls out a chair for her. Nagisa takes the offered seat with a nod of thanks.)

Mami: Nagisa, right? I hear you‘re really good at controlling your...other half.

(Shot of Nagisa holding her darkening Soul Gem in its egg form. It suddenly shatters, the darkness briefly forming a sphere around her before breaking apart to reveal doll-form Charlotte. Close-up shot of clown-form Charlotte’s face as she lets out a sound between a roar and a honk. Cut back to Mami and Nagisa.)

Nagisa: You...might say that.

(Shot of Sailor Moon, the Inner Senshi, Nanoha, Mami, Kyoko, Charlotte, Fate, Hibiki, Tsubasa, Shirabe, Chris, Maria, Hayate, the Smile Cures, the DokiDoki Cures, the Go Princess Cures, and the Wolkenritter standing back to back with one another. The ones with weapons hold them at the ready, while the others call forth their respective elements/energies, or in Charlotte’s case, give a roar.)

[carnelianwings]

Tagged by @toradh

Rules: list 10 of your favorite female characters from 10 different fandoms and then tag 10 people.

. . . 10 different fandoms?  Oh dear.  Well, uhhh, here goes, in no particular order:

Marta Lualdi (Tales of Series)

Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics)

Terra Branford (Final Fantasy)

Mizuno Ami (Sailor Moon)

Fate T. Harlaown/Testarossa (Lyrical Nanoha)

GLaDOS (Portal - does a computer AI with a feminine voice count as female?  XD)

Gwendolyn Lancaster (The Cinder Spires)

Dr. Beverly Crusher (Star Trek)

Lunamaria Hawke (Gundam)

Felicity Smoak (Arrowverse)

Honorable mentions because of that little different fandoms thing: Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (MCU - I consider them part of the Marvel Comics fandom), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (MCU again), Jessica Jones (you guessed it . . . MCU again), Celes Chere (Final Fantasy), Lailah (Tales of Series), Takamachi Nanoha (Lyrical Nanoha)

Tagging: @talesofsymphoniac, @pengiesama, @koko-ai, @8bittheatrics, @keyhala, @radiantdragonfang, @jadeluminescence, @talesofgay, @swagmasterlowell, @moonwhing

[recentanimenews]

Hero Returns in Sorcerous Stabber Orphen TV Anime 2nd PV for January 2020 Premiere

  The official website for the forthcoming new TV anime adaptation of Yoshinobu Akita's fantasy light novel series Majutsushi Orphen Haguretabi/Sorcerous Stabber Orphen has started streaming a 80-second second PV to announce its January 2020 premiere in Japan and ten additional voice cast. 

  This new TV anime is produced as part of the 25th anniversary project for the novel series that launched in 1994. Takayuki Hamana (Magical girl lyrical Nanoha Reflection) is attached to direct at Studio Deen, alongside series composition writer Reiko Yoshida (Girls und Panzer) and character designer Takahiko Yoshida (Cells at Work!).

    2nd PV: 

    As reported, 45-year-old voice actor Showtaro Morikubo, who voiced the title character in the previous two TV anime in the late 1990s, reprises his iconic role for the first time in 19 years.

  He says, "I was in my mid-20s when I first met Orphen. This is the most important title when I talk about my career as a voice actor. There is nothing that could make me happier than playing this character again after a long time. I can meet that man again. I can travel with those friends again. And I can scream again! My heart is too full for words! 'Ware wa hanatsu hikari no hakujin!' "

  【コメント到着①】再掲 オーフェン役の #森久保祥太郎 さんからコメントが到着しました！ 二十代の半ば頃でした、オーフェンとの出会いは。僕が声優としての自分のキャリアを語る上で… 続きはこちら ▶︎https://t.co/SnmhMf36sQ 第2弾PV ▶︎https://t.co/N2ZmplB2UW#オーフェン pic.twitter.com/5JaZEQs7CW

— 『魔術士オーフェンはぐれ旅』2020年1月放送開始予定！ (@orphen25_tv) August 8, 2019

   Main voice cast:

Orphen: Showtaro Morikubo

Cleao Everlasting: Rumi Ohkubo 

Majic Lin: Yusuke Kobayashi 

Volkan: Marie Mizuno 

Dortin: Mai Fuchigami

Childman Powderfield: Daisuke Namikawa

Azalie Cait Sith: Yoko Hikasa 

Leticia MacCredy: Shizuka Ito 

Hartia: Taito Ban 

Comicron: Rikuya Yasuda

Forte: Tomoaki Maeno

  【新規キャスト解禁①】 オーフェン： #森久保祥太郎 クリーオウ： #大久保瑠美 マジク： #小林裕介 ボルカン： #水野麻里絵 ドーチン： #渕上舞 ▶︎第 2 弾 スペシャルPV：https://t.co/N2ZmplB2UW ▶︎公式サイト：https://t.co/1HP5CchHo4 #オーフェン

— 『魔術士オーフェンはぐれ旅』2020年1月放送開始予定！ (@orphen25_tv) August 8, 2019

          Source: "Sorcerous Stabber Orphen" New TV anime official website / Twitter 

  ©Yoshinobu Akita, Yuuya Kusaka, TO Books/Majutsushi Orphen Haguretabi Production Committee

  By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[newsintheshell]

Aya Hisakawa sarà la nuova doppiatrice di Bulma

La precedente doppiatrice Hiromi Tsuru è scomparsa lo scorso 16 novembre.

Toei Animation ha confermato che Aya Hisakawa sarà la nuova doppiatrice di Bulma, uno dei personaggi principali del brand “Dragon Ball”, dopo la scomparsa della storica doppiatrice Hiromi Tsuru, all’età di 57 anni. 

Hisakawa ha già doppiato il personaggio di Chiko in Dragon Ball Z. Tra i suoi lavori di maggior spicco ci sono Lindy Harlaown (Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha), Ami Mizuno (Sailor Moon), Kerberos (Card Captor Sakura) e Skuld (Aa, Megami-Sama!). 

Attualmente è in onda la terza serie “canonica” del franchise intitolata “Dragon Ball Super”, tratta dall’omonimo manga avviato da Akira Toriyama nel 2015 ed edito da noi da Star Comics. La serie conta attualmente 127 episodi, con il 128° in uscita per il 18 febbraio. La serie è trasmessa in Italia da Mediaset Italia, ed è distribuita in home video da Yamato Video.

Elric

Fonte: ANN

[joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

My Top 10 Ships

Thought this’d be another fun arbitrary list to make. All opinions are my own, I went one ship per franchise (kinda) and also I’ve obviously not seen every show out there so. Also like, these opinions are subject to change, in particular I went back and forth between 1 and 2 for what felt like forever. Anyway, let’s go.

10. Nico Yazawa x Jotaro Kujo

Okay okay hear me out. I know I’m starting off with a crackship, but I should mention that from here on out they’re all real. But this ship is a lot of fun! I believe an old friend and I, but maybe just the friend, came up with the ship as something of a joke, but we both found it funny and like it a lot. It’s worth mentioning that they’re both 17 so it’s not like there’s an unfortunate age gap, and of course Nico’s basically a JoJo character anyway. Idk it’s funny to imagine this ship as being a thing. Spoilers for the rest of the list, not only is this the only straight ship but it’s the only one to even have a male lol.

9. Ange x Charlotte

Being very much the main ship that Princess Principal revolves around, and that being a show I love a lot, you’d expect this to be somewhere on the list. These two are just so much fun! They have brilliant chemistry and the show’s uh, not subtle in portraying their romance together. It’s all super endearing, and when you chuck the pair’s backstory into there as well, boy that’s a lot of fun.

8. Ai Mizuno x Junko Konno

Definitely one of the best aesthetics of a ship in the entire list, AiJunko is delightful. They’re both super duper cute individually and the contrasts with their hair, Ai’s short and black versus Junko’s long and white, that looks super great. And while the two in the show have perhaps the most genuine friction thanks to what their little arc is, it’s still pretty clear that they get along outside of that and I mean, they’re both idols, that’s a lot of fun. Also I mean, call it AiJunko, call it JunkoAi, but if you call it JunAi? That translates to Pure Love, baby! I think it’s fitting really. Genuine request, ZLS Revenge should make this ship canon. ZLS has an explicitly transgender character, I don’t think it’s that unreasonable for the show to also have actual lesbians.

7. Kobayashi x Tohru

This is definitely one of the most explicit ships on the list, seeing as how uh, Tohru outright admits to having romantic and sexual feelings for Kobayashi, and it’s great that there’s no lack of clarity in this. We know Tohru’s feelings pretty much immediately and it’s super engaging watching the socially inept Kobayashi not really being able to properly reciprocate, since she barely expresses herself to begin with. Also I mean, their hecking parenting of Kanna as well is great! The themes of found family and love and stuff are explored absurdly well in Maid Dragon through this ship and their daughter, it’s just so great. You owe it to yourself to watch Maid Dragon if you haven’t already, it’s delightful. So excited for season 2.

6. Rin Shima x Nadeshiko Kagamihara

Like the show these characters are from, this ship is a super duper comfy one. They’ve both got adorable and very very warm designs, and pair together super well. And like, they’ve got so much chemistry! The show does a great job selling us on the pair’s budding friendship as it progresses, the introverted Rin growing to really enjoy Nadeshiko and her company, and texting her when they’re not together and stuff. Compared to every ship so far (other than Nico x Jotaro) it’s perhaps the one I’d least want to be canon, since Yuru Camp works best with comfy vibes as opposed to romantic vibes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the ship anyway.

5. Nanoha Takamachi x Fate T. Harlaown

Okay these two are like actually gay though. They live together where they sleep in the same bed and literally adopt a child together. NanoFate’s delightful, the want to talk to and understand Fate in season 1 is so strong and it’s incredibly engaging watching Nanoha try to get that opportunity, which makes that one scene where they exchange hair ribbons and stuff super emotionally gratifying. These two are great aesthetically too, a badass adorable mahou shoujo power couple? I love it, I really do.

4. Cocona x Papika

This is another one that’s really explicitly gay, albeit not in the “it’s a canon ship” way but in the “Cocona is literally canonically gay for Papika” way. I mean, did you see episode 7? You could not be more blunt about one girl exploring her romantic attraction to another girl than having her explore a world populated by romance character archetypes of that other girl. Like, come on. Cocona is very explicitly homosexual and is attracted to Papika, and I mean, while it’s not like they ever kiss on the lips or anything (unfortunately), Papika is still physically affectionate enough and says more than enough “dai-dai-daisuke!” for it to be clear that the feelings are mutual. Also they literally wear magical wedding dress armour in the final fight? That’s ridiculously blatant. This ship’s great, this show’s great, go watch it. Best yuri anime.

3. Kumiko Oumae x Reina Kousaka

If you’ve seen Eupho, you just, you just know. Without ever needing to kiss, these two manage to be the most romantic couple I’ve seen in a TV anime. I think like, the thing about it is that, when I first watched Eupho, I fell in love with Reina. Not in a romantic way, like I’m really not that type of person with fictional characters, but I just really really admired Reina. And then I kind of realised, that I admire Reina in much the same way as Kumiko does. Now that’s why Kumiko became my favourite by the way, but also, I think that realisation kind of really made me understand that Kumiko loves Reina, like, romantically. Or should at least smh. Idk this ship has perhaps done a bit more to disappoint me than some others but I love it so much in spite of that, they have such a wonderful dynamic and it’s so emotionally resonant seeing Kumiko improve and strive to be like Reina, as well as watching Reina like, you know, rip Kumiko’s mask off. Honestly that mountain scene in episode 8 is probably the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen. Incredible ship and honestly the one I most want to be canon, even if it’s not number 1 or even 2 on the list overall.

2. Madoka Kaname x Homura Akemi

I think I have a few followers who might be a bit surprised by this not being number 1. I’ll touch on that more when we actually get to number 1, but for now, let’s talk about MadoHomu. To begin with, this is another one of the best ships aesthetically on the entire list. Madoka Magica has my favourite character designs in any anime ever, and while my actual favourite design is Sayaka’s, Madoka and Homura’s designs are absolutely god tier, so seeing the two together, you’d obviously expect it to look incredible, the black and pink go together stunningly well. As for their relationship, it’s unquestionably the most fascinating and interesting one on the list. I don’t want to sound big brain IQ 300 or anything, but this ship has just, so many layers to it, between Moemura falling in love with Madoka, becoming cool Homura, subsequent timeline Madokas not even being “the same” as the one Homu fell in love with, heckin, Madoka becoming God and learning what Homura did for her, and then the entirety of Rebellion, flower field scene and Homura becoming Satan, all of it. That was more of a synopsis than anything but like, there’s so much to this! It’s absolutely incredible how a pair that seem almost fundamentally incompatible can still be so compelling anyway. Not even kidding I think the best way to end this series would be to have these two become like, a canon couple, because there is nothing more magical girl than the love of two people overcoming everything, even those people’s incompatibility with one another. But they’re also still super compatible anyway! You look back at timeline 1 and Homu’s so happy to be with Madoka and stuff and Madoka gets so much joy out of seeing Homura do her best, god that hug after they defeat Patricia is delightful. And also like, Luminous! That cheek rub might just be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. God. What a masterpiece of a work and a masterpiece in character relationships.

1. Chika Takami x Riko Sakurauchi

I think the best way of saying why this is number 1, even beating out MadoHomu, is to say that like, MadoHomu isn’t my favourite element of Madoka Magica. I’ve gone into extensive detail about everything I love about Madoka on multiple occasions, but when it comes to Love Live, ChikaRiko is genuinely my favourite thing about the entire franchise. MadoHomu is a ship drenched in complexities that, while infinitely fascinating, don’t, in official works at least, provide that same comforting delight I get from ChikaRiko. It’s wonderfully apparent just how much these two get out of each other, Riko’s arc in season 1 is intrinsically tied to that normal monster pushing her to be able to love her passion again. And if not for Riko, who so clearly absolutely loves Chika, I don’t think Aqours could even exist. Not just in the “Riko provided piano music” – that’s obvious, but I mean, that 0 at Tokyo. Riko’s the one who chased Chika into the sea, hugged her and told her it’s okay to cry, she was happy to see that frustrated Chika, the one who wasn’t bottling everything up, hiding it from others, and can we talk about the fact that Riko is the one Chika shows all this to? And I mean, episode 10. That “daisuki” on the beach is another one of the most romantic things I’ve ever seen in anime. These two get so much out of one another, they’re both positive influences on one another and have delightful chemistry with each other. And that aesthetic, it’s stunning. Chika and especially Riko have really nice designs, they’re super adorable and when it comes to this ship specifically, it gives me very autumnal vibes, Riko’s dark red hair somehow both contrasting and complementing Chika’s bright orange hair. I like Homura and Kumiko more than I like Riko, and I like Madoka, Homura, Kumiko, Reina and Riko more than I like Chika. Yet in spite of the ship not having my favourite characters, it’s my favourite ship regardless. Again, it was very tough deciding between this and MadoHomu, and if I wrote this list on a different day I might have even put MadoHomu at number 1, but for now, I feel happy letting this list be what it is, and letting this ship be number 1. Also did you know today is ChikaRiko middle day? As in, the date exactly in the middle of Chika and Riko’s birthday. I think that’s a good day to post this list, given that ChikaRiko are the number 1, so. Oh also this ship is what I meant when I pulled the “(kinda)” after one per franchise given Nico’s already on the list.

Anyway uh, that’s it. If you can’t already tell, I like yuri.

[missmyloko]

The Miyako Odori 2019 - Complete

The deban has finally been published on the official website, so it’s time to see what this year has in store!

The 2019 Miyako Odori will be taking place from April 1st to 27th at the Minamiza Theatre. Due to the limitations of the new location there will be no tea ceremony. Participants Natori Geiko: Mamezuru (まめ鶴), Koman (小萬), Sonomi (そ乃美), Mamehiro (豆弘), Takazuru (孝鶴), Mameka (豆花), Korin (小りん), Fukue (フク愛), Mamechizu (豆千鶴), Terutoyo (照豊), Mameryō (豆涼), Fukuha (福葉), Satomi (里美), Mameya (まめ弥), and Kokimi (小喜美). Geiko: Kogiku (小菊), Mayuha (満友葉), Mamesuzu (まめ鈴), Koai (小愛), Mihoko (美帆子), Mao (真生), Yukako (有佳子), Makiko (槇子), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichiyuri (市有里), Koyō (小耀), Kosen (小扇), Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tsuruha (つる葉), Koyoshi (小芳), Mamemaru (豆まる), Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Masaki (真咲), Mameroku (豆六), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Eriha (恵里葉), Ichitomi (市十美), Katsue (佳つ江), Mikako (実佳子), Shino (紫乃), Ichiharu (市晴), Marika (茉利佳), and Mameryū (まめ柳).        Jikata Geiko: Emiji (恵美二), Kimiya (君彌), Komomo (小桃), Danyū (だん祐), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Yoshimame (芳豆), Kimizuru (君鶴), Danka (だん香), Fukunami (福奈美), Masuho (ます穂), Yukizono (幸苑), Koemi (小恵美), Danmitsu (だん満), Mahori (まほ璃), and Emino (恵美乃).  Maiko: Mamesumi (豆純), Mameharu (まめ春), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mitsuki (美月), Tomoko (朋子), Kohana (小花), Konami (小なみ), Mametama (豆珠), Tatsuha (多都葉), Yuriha (ゆり葉), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Mizuno (瑞乃), Mameyo (豆誉), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Asuka (あす佳), Ichihiro (市紘), Konatsu (小奈都), Mariko (槇里子), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Miwako (美羽子), Mameyui (豆結), and Mameju (まめ樹).  

Scene 1: Okiuta (置歌) - Opening Scene

Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd  Sou Odori (総をどり): Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Mariko (槇里子), Koyō (小耀), Mameyui (豆結), Mamesumi (豆純), Mamemaru (豆まる), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mameju (まめ樹), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mameroku (豆六), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichitomi (市十美), and Mikako (実佳子).

Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Sou Odori (総をどり): Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tatsuha (多都葉), Ichihiro (市紘), Mameharu (まめ春), Eriha (恵里葉), Kohana (小花), Asuka (あす佳), Masaki (真咲), Katsue (佳つ江), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Mameryū (まめ柳), Mametama (豆珠), Ichiharu (市晴), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Mayuha (満友葉), and Tomoko (朋子).

Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Sou Odori (総をどり):Kosen (小扇), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Konami (小なみ), Mitsuki (美月), Konatsu (小奈都), Tsuruha (つる葉), Mameyo (豆誉), Shino (紫乃), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Miwako (美羽子), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Mizuno (瑞乃), Koyoshi (小芳), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Yuriha (ゆり葉), and Marika (茉利佳).

Scene 2: Hatsu Ebisu Fuku Sasa Kubari (初恵美須福笹配) - Handing Out Lucky Bamboo at Hatsu Ebisu

Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Sou Odori (総をどり): Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Mariko (槇里子), Koyō (小耀), Mameyui (豆結), Mamesumi (豆純), Mamemaru (豆まる), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mameju (まめ樹), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mameroku (豆六), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichitomi (市十美), and Mikako (実佳子).

Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Sou Odori (総をどり): Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tatsuha (多都葉), Ichihiro (市紘), Mameharu (まめ春), Eriha (恵里葉), Kohana (小花), Asuka (あす佳), Masaki (真咲), Katsue (佳つ江), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Mameryū (まめ柳), Mametama (豆珠), Ichiharu (市晴), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Mayuha (満友葉), and Tomoko (朋子).

Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Sou Odori (総をどり):Kosen (小扇), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Konami (小なみ), Mitsuki (美月), Konatsu (小奈都), Tsuruha (つる葉), Mameyo (豆誉), Shino (紫乃), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Miwako (美羽子), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Mizuno (瑞乃), Koyoshi (小芳), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Yuriha (ゆり葉), and Marika (茉利佳).

Scene 3: Hōjūji Dono Ima You Awase (法住寺殿今様合) - The Feudal Lord Appears at Hōjūji

Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Shirabyoshi Harugiku (白拍子春菊): Kogiku (小菊) Shirabyoshi Wakagiku (白拍子若菊): Mihoko (美帆子) Yūjo Otomae (遊女乙前): Eriha (恵里葉) Young Boy Akomaru (童子あこ丸): Tsuruha (つる葉) Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Shirabyoshi Harugiku (白拍子春菊): Mamesuzu (まめ鈴) Shirabyoshi Wakagiku (白拍子若菊): Yukako (有佳子) Yūjo Otomae (遊女乙前): Ichitomi (市十美) Young Boy Akomaru (童子あこ丸): Mamemaru (豆まる) Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Shirabyoshi Harugiku (白拍子春菊): Mao (真生) Shirabyoshi Wakagiku (白拍子若菊): Katsugiku (佳つ菊) Yūjo Otomae (遊女乙前): Mikako (実佳子) Young Boy Akomaru (童子あこ丸): Masaki (真咲) Scene 4: Shijogawara Okuni No Mai (四条河原阿国舞) - Okuni Dances On The Shijo Riverbed Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Okuni (阿国): Mamehiro (豆弘) Nagoya Sanza (名古屋山三): Mameka (豆花) Attendant Kiku (従者菊): Mayuha (満友葉) Attendant Shirahagi (従者白萩): Katsutomo (佳つ智)

Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Okuni (阿国): Mamechizu (豆千鶴) Nagoya Sanza (名古屋山三): Fukue (フク愛) Attendant Kiku (従者菊): Koyoshi (小芳) Attendant Shirahagi (従者白萩): Satsuki (紗月)

Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Okuni (阿国): Mameryō (豆涼) Nagoya Sanza (名古屋山三): Terutoyo (照豊) Attendant Kiku 従者菊): Fumino (章乃) Attendant Shirahagi (従者白萩): Mameroku (豆六) Scene 5: Warashi Bechō Jajusse No Kotobuki (藁稭長者出世寿) - The Story of The Straw Man Millionaire

Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Chōta (長太): Satomi (里美) Chiyo (ちよ): Makiko (槇子) Millionaire Ottokenzō (長者夫兼蔵): Koai (小愛) Millionaire Tsumaaya (長者妻あや): Ichiharu (市晴) Naokichi (直吉): Katsuhina (佳つ雛)

Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Chōta (長太): Mameya (まめ弥) Chiyo (ちよ): Kosen (小扇) Millionaire Ottokenzō (長者夫兼蔵): Koyō (小耀) Millionaire Tsumaaya (長者妻あや): Marika (茉利佳) Naokichi (直吉): Shino (紫乃)

Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Chōta (長太): Kokimi (小喜美) Chiyo (ちよ): Ichiyuri (市有里) Millionaire Ottokenzō (長者夫兼蔵): Sayaka (紗矢佳) Millionaire Tsumaaya (長者妻あや): Mameryū (まめ柳) Naokichi (直吉): Katsue (佳つ江) Scene 6: Katsura Rikyū Momiji Gari (桂離宮紅葉狩) - Viewing Maple Leaves at Katsura Imperial Villa

Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Sou Odori (総をどり): Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Mariko (槇里子), Koyō (小耀), Mameyui (豆結), Mamesumi (豆純), Mamemaru (豆まる), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mameju (まめ樹), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mameroku (豆六), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichitomi (市十美), and Mikako (実佳子).

Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Sou Odori (総をどり): Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tatsuha (多都葉), Ichihiro (市紘), Mameharu (まめ春), Eriha (恵里葉), Kohana (小花), Asuka (あす佳), Masaki (真咲), Katsue (佳つ江), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Mameryū (まめ柳), Mametama (豆珠), Ichiharu (市晴), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Mayuha (満友葉), and Tomoko (朋子).

Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Sou Odori (総をどり):Kosen (小扇), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Konami (小なみ), Mitsuki (美月), Konatsu (小奈都), Tsuruha (つる葉), Mameyo (豆誉), Shino (紫乃), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Miwako (美羽子), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Mizuno (瑞乃), Koyoshi (小芳), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Yuriha (ゆり葉), and Marika (茉利佳). Scene 7: Gion Chaya No Yuki Geshiki (祇園茶屋雪景色) - The Snowy Landscape Around The Gion Ochaya

Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Geiko (芸妓): Mamezuru (まめ鶴) and Takazuru (孝鶴) Maiko (舞妓): Tomoko (朋子), Mitsuki (美月), Mameharu (まめ春), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), and Mametama (豆珠).

Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Geiko (芸妓): Koman (小萬) and Korin (小りん) Maiko (舞妓): Konami (小なみ), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mamesumi (豆純), Katsuharu (佳つ春), and Yuriha (ゆり葉)

Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Geiko (芸妓): Sonomi (そ乃美) and Fukuha (福葉) Maiko (舞妓): Kohana (小花), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Koeri (小衿), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), and Tatsuha (多都葉). Scene 8: Daikakuji Sakura Kurabe (大覚寺桜比) - Comparing Cherry Blossoms at Daikakuji

All dancers who appeared on stage each day will take part in the finale. Jikata Performers - Nagauta Singer/Shamisen  Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Performers (長唄): Danka (だん香), Yukizono (幸苑), Kimiya (君彌), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃). Fill In Singer (立唄): Touon Matsumura Maya (東音松浦麻矢) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Emiji (恵美二) Fill In Both (交替): Kimizuru (君鶴) Fill In Singer (13th only): Komomo (小桃) Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Performers (長唄): Yoshimame (芳豆), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Mahori (まほ璃), Danmitsu (だん満), and Sasaki Naoko (佐々木尚子) Fill In Singer (立唄): Komomo (小桃) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Danyū (だん祐) Fill In Both (交替): Masuho (ます穂) Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Performers (長唄): Yoshimame (芳豆), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Mahori (まほ璃), Danmitsu (だん満), and Sasaki Naoko (佐々木尚子) Fill In Singer (立唄): Komomo (小桃) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Danyū (だん祐) Fill In Both (交替): Masuho (ます穂) Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Performers (長唄): Danka (だん香), Yukizono (幸苑), Kimiya (君彌), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃). Fill In Singer (立唄): Touon Matsumura Maya (東音松浦麻矢) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Emiji (恵美二) Fill In Both (交替): Kimizuru (君鶴) Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Performers (長唄): Danka (だん香), Yukizono (幸苑), Kimiya (君彌), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃). Fill In Singer (立唄): Touon Matsumura Maya (東音松浦麻矢) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Emiji (恵美二) Fill In Both (交替): Kimizuru (君鶴) Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Performers (長唄): Yoshimame (芳豆), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Mahori (まほ璃), Danmitsu (だん満), and Sasaki Naoko (佐々木尚子) Fill In Singer (立唄): Komomo (小桃) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Danyū (だん祐) Fill In Both (交替): Masuho (ます穂) Non-Geiko Joruri Narrators - 浄瑠璃語り Takemoto Ayanosuke (竹本綾之助) - April 1st, 9th, 10th, 16th, 18th, and 20th Takemoto Tohsako (竹本土佐子) - April 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 24th, and 25th  Takemoto Kyonosuke (竹本京之助) - April 6th, 7th, 8th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, and 27th Non-Geiko Joruri Shamisen - 浄瑠璃三味線 Tsurukawa Hirosuke (鶴澤寛輔) - April 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 12th, 13th, 20th, 24th 25th, 26th, and 27th Tsurukawa Tsukazu (鶴澤津賀寿) - April 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd Toyokawa Hinafumi (豊澤雛文) - April 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th Tsurukawa Tsukae ( 鶴澤津賀榮) - April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, and 22nd Notes About Scenes Scene 1: Okiuta (置歌) - Opening Scene The opening scene each year. It’s performed in front of a background painted to look like silver folding screens. This is reminiscent of the Inoue style’s roots in performances at the villas and castles of the nobility. Scene 2: Hatsu Ebisu Fuku Sasa Kubari (初恵美須福笹配) - Handing Out Lucky Bamboo at Hatsu Ebisu Hatsu Ebisu, which takes place every year on January 11th, features Shinto priests and shrine maidens who bless bamboo branches that are then purchased by the public for good luck in the new year. They can also purchase small amulets and decorations for the branch to make it even more lucky. This event is extremely popular as maiko from Gion Kobu and Miyagawa Cho actually hand out the bamboo to each person who purchases a branch, so it’s a unique chance to get close to real maiko. Scene 3: Hōjūji Dono Ima You Awase (法住寺殿今様合) - The Feudal Lord Appears at Hōjūji I really can’t find much information about this scene at all, so I’m not exactly sure what happens besides that there are shirabyoshi there. The shirabyoshi were female performers who entertained nobility, often dressed as men, and are said to be the precursors to geisha. The Shirabyoshi’s names translate to Spring Chrysanthemum (Harugiku) and Young Chrysanthemum (Wakagiku). The yūjo with them doesn’t specifically have a name, but rather a title; Otomae means “Of The Second Rank,” so we know that she’s not an oiran, but is pretty close. Scene 4: Shijogawara Okuni No Mai (四条河原阿国舞) - Okuni Dances On The Shijo Riverbed Okuni is the inventor of kabuki and “created” the style form when she danced on the dry riverbed of the Shijo River in 1603. Her unique style was then adopted by others and soon kabuki spread across the country. Okuni is a prominent figure in the dance world and a statue exists of her in Kyoto. Nagoya Sanzo was her lover and is said to have promoted her style of dance. He eventually went on to become a kabuki actor after the pair moved to Edo. The attendants in the story are members of their troupe. Their names mean Chrysanthemum (Kiku) and White Bush Clover (Shirahagi). Scene 5: Warashi Bechō Jajusse No Kotobuki (藁稭長者出世寿) - The Story of The Straw Man Millionaire This is an extremely old folk tale that’s managed to spread around the world and is now found in many cultures. The story begins with a man, who the story names as Chota, that prays to the goddess Kannon to escape poverty. She tells him to pick up the first thing that he sees after exiting the temple and then to travel with it west. The first item that he finds is a piece of straw, hence the title. As he travels he comes across an annoying horsefly, which he then ties to his straw. In the next town he comes across a mother, who’s named Chiyo in this account, whose baby can only be soothed by the buzzing of the fly. He exchanges his straw with the fly for three oranges and continues on his way. As he continues on he comes across a woman who’s severely dehydrated. He helps her by giving her the oranges and in return she gives him an expensive piece of silk cloth. Continuing on his journey he comes across a millionaire, who’s named Ottokenzō, who asks to trade his weak, and presumably near death, horse for the cloth, which Chota agrees to. Chota then spends some time nursing the sick horse back to health and then continues on his journey. While travelling he’s stopped by another millionaire, Tsumaaya in this case, who noticed the quality of his horse and invites him to stay at his villa. At the villa he is introduced to Tsumaaya’s daughter. It turns out that the daughter, whose name is Naokichi, is the same woman who Chota saved with the oranges. Tsumaaya sees this as a sign from the gods and suggests that Chota marry Naokichi. By marrying Naokichi Chota would marry into Tsumaaya’s house, which then makes Chota a millionaire. Scene 6: Katsura Rikyū Momiji Gari (桂離宮紅葉狩) - Viewing Maple Leaves at Katsura Imperial Villa Katsura Imperial Villa is considered the most important culturally important land outside of the imperial palace in Kyoto. The land was given to Prince Toshihito by Hideyoshi Toyotomi as a separation gift; Toshihito was adopted by Hideyoshi to be his heir but then ended up having a son of his own. The entire villa was built with parts of The Tale of Genji in mind and construction began in 1624. The villa and its splendid gardens were added onto by subsequent children of Toshihito and even became the residence for Emperor Go Mizunoo who had abdicated his throne. The gardens and the architecture at the villa are said to be among the best in Japan. Its many gardens contain a multitude of maple trees, whose colors in the fall are unparalleled.  Scene 7: Gion Chaya No Yuki Geshiki (祇園茶屋雪景色) - The Snowy Landscape Around The Gion Ochaya Not too much is known about this scene, but it seems to be about maiko and geiko who frolic in the snow that has settled around the ochaya in Gion Kobu during the winter months. Scene 8: Daikakuji Sakura Kurabe (大覚寺桜比) - Comparing Cherry Blossoms at Daikakuji The final scene always sees the entire cast of the day admiring cherry blossoms at a famous site in Kyoto. This year they’ve chosen the very prestigious Daikakuji Temple, which is known for its tall pagoda that can be seen almost anywhere in Kyoto. This pagoda is also mentioned in various songs that maiko and geiko perform at ozashiki. 

[missmyloko]

The Karyūkai Summary of 2018

On The Seventh Day Of Fun I present... that sweet, sweet data that everyone seems to look forward to! 

Misedashi Ichisumi (市すみ) of Yamaguchi (やまぐち) in Pontocho - January 8th Fukuyuri (ふく友梨) of Horiyae (堀八重) in Miyagawa Cho - January 22nd Katsuharu (佳つ春) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - January 22nd Katsumomo (佳つ桃) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - February 12th Mahori (まほ璃) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - February Ichiai (市愛) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho - March 1st Mizuno (瑞乃) of Fukushima (福嶋) in Gion Kobu - March 4th Mameyo (豆誉)of Arai(新井) in Gion Kobu - March 7th Nanoha (菜乃葉) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - March 12th Asuka (あす佳) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu - March 16th Ichihiro (市紘) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu - March 17th Konatsu (小奈都) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu - March 17th Mariko (槇里子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - May 16th Katsuemi (佳つ笑) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - May 22nd Miwako (美羽子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - May 28th Hidekano (秀華乃) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - May 30th Mameyui (豆結) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - June 6th Koaki (小晶) of Kaden (花傳) in Miyagawa Cho - June 7th Kimisaki (君咲) of Honjo (本城) in Miyagawa Cho - July 5th Umehana (梅はな) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - September 13th Umenana (梅なな) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - September 25th Umesana (梅さな) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - October 2nd Hidemai (秀眞衣) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - October 3rd Kanohisa (叶久) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi - October 4th Kanochiyo (叶千代) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi - October 4th Emino (恵美乃) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - October 9th Ichigiku (市ぎく) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - October 24th Ichiume (市うめ) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - November 13th Naomai (尚舞) of Nakasato (中里) in Kamishichiken - November 27th Mameju (まめ樹) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - December 6th 2018 Total: 30 2017 Total: 20 Change: +10 Erikae Ichitaka (市多佳) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - April 24th Marika (茉利佳) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu - May 25th Tomitsuyu (富津愈) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi - May 28th Ichiaya (市彩) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho - June 9th Fukune (ふく音) of Kawayoshi (河よ志) in Miyagawa Cho - September 13th Ichiharu (市晴) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu - October 26th Shino (紫乃) of Fukushima (福嶋) in Gion Kobu - November 21st Mameryū (まめ柳) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - November 21st Hinayū (雛祐) of Okatome (岡とめ) in Gion Higashi - December 7th 2018 Total: 9 2017 Total: 9 Change: 0 Leavings Ayaha (あや葉) of Katsumi (勝見) in Pontocho - January Ichitomo (市知) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - January Masami (満彩美) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi - February Katsusen (佳つ扇) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - April Chikasuzu (千賀すず) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - April Ichimomo (市桃) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - April Mamekoma (豆こま) of Shibata (柴田) in Gion Kobu - May Ichikoma (市こま) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - June Chiyoko (知余子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - July Korin (小凛) of Kaden (花傳) in Miyagawa Cho - July Ichiteru (市照) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho - July Fumine (文音) of Okatome (岡とめ) in Gion Higashi - August Katsuna (勝奈) of Daimonji (大文字) in Kamishichiken - August Koyoshi (小よし) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - August Fumiyoshi (富美芳) of Yoshifumi (よし冨美) in Miyagawa Cho - September Naoai (尚あい) of Nakasato (中里) in Kamishichiken - September Umechie (梅ちえ) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - October Umehana (梅はな) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - October Umenana (梅なな) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - October Kimihiro (君ひろ) of Toshikimi (利きみ) in Miyagawa Cho - November Kimitoyo (君とよ) of Toshikimi (利きみ) in Miyagawa Cho - November Fukuno (ふく乃) of Kawayoshi (河よ志) in Miyagawa Cho - November Mameaki (まめ章) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - November Nakako (奈加子), formerly of Nishimura (西村), in Gion Kobu - November Katsune (勝音) of Daimonji (大文字) in Kamishichiken - December Mamesome (豆そめ) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - December Hinagiku (雛菊) of Okatome (岡とめ) in Gion Higashi - December 2018 Total: 27 2017 Total: 15 Change: +12 Shikomi Tama (多麻) of Gion Kobu Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) of Gion Kobu x2 Fukushima (福嶋) of Gion Kobu  Nishimura (西村) of Gion Kobu x2 Tsurui (つる居) of Gion Kobu Ninben (亻) of Gion Kobu Unknown in Pontocho Shigemori (しげ森) of Miyagawa Cho x3 Kawayoshi (河よ志) of Miyagawa Cho Kawahisa (川久) of Miyagawa Cho Hanafusa (花ふさ) of Miyagawa Cho Honjo (本城) of Miyagawa Cho x2 Man (まん) of Gion Higashi x2   So, what can we deduce from this year’s numbers?

The sort version is: many things. The long, however, is more complicated, so let’s focus on that! First, some of you may have noticed some names on those lists that I didn’t formally announce, mainly the retirement of Nakako (奈加子) in Gion Kobu and Katsune (勝音) of Daimonji (大文字) in Kamishichiken. This is because they happened quite recently and long time readers should know by now that I like to hide information in the various tabs before announcing it. So, this post is acting as their announcement. Anyway, back on track!

Starting off, there are far more names on this list compared to last year, 22 to be exact, which is huge. There were 10 more misedashi, but sadly 12 more leavings. However, the overall number of misedashi compared to retirements is 30 to 27, so the karyukai saw a net gain of 3. Erikae stayed the same, which is good as it means that a diverse amount of maiko are going on to become geiko. This year also saw at least one erikae from each of the gokagai, which tends to be rare, so that’s really great!

Gion Kobu was the big winner overall, representing half of the misedashi (15/30 - 50%) and just under half of the erikae (4/9 - 44%). With only minimal leavings (6/27 - 22%) it shows that they went through immense growth that far out paced all of the other kagai. They also debuted two jikata geiko, which is fantastic. But, even better is that they’ve actually debuted four jikata geiko in the span of twelve months, from October 2017 to October 2018.

Pontocho again remains stable, which fascinates me greatly. With four misedashi, one erikae, and only two leavings, they’re the only other kagai to post positive numbers.

In contrast, Kamishichiken went through some of the biggest negatives. Although they had six misedashi, which is impressive for such a small district, they ended up with nine leavings, leaving them with a net of minus three and quite a large problem. The biggest issue is with the women who left, who happened to be young geiko and senior maiko; their loss has now left a large gap in skill for the odori as elderly geiko need new blood to eventually be replaced, but the time needed to replace them is now much greater. It also doesn’t help that two of their new debuts quit within a month, which may point to a greater overall problem (or not, who knows?).

What surprises me the most here is Miyagawa Cho. When Gion Kobu had their last misedashi boom approximately a decade ago Miyagawa Cho also saw an explosion of misedashi. This time around they have experienced no such thing, and are actually showing negative numbers. For a kagai with the second highest numbers it’s surprising that they only had three misedashi overall, yet saw seven retirements, given them a net loss of minus four. Therefore, Miyagawa Cho edged out Kamishichiken by one to take the title of worst overall. Gion Higashi showed some interesting outcomes too, with two misedashi, two erikae, but three retirements. The two erikae were the most surprising as they don’t always have years where they have a maiko finish their apprenticeships and choose to continue on as geiko. But, overall, they’re also working with a net loss of minus one.

This year only two natori geiko left the profession, Nakako in Gion Kobu and Masami in Gion Higashi, but both are still active within the karyukai as they both own businesses. Nakako owns a bar and Masami is the okasan of the Man okiya and ochaya.

Looking to the future, there seems to be a great number of shikomi, some of which will be having their misedashi during the first few months of 2019. Ones that we know for sure will be debuting are from Hiroshimaya and Fukushima in Gion Kobu and Shigemori in Miyagawa Cho. I wouldn’t be surprised if we also see new members from Tsurui, Hanafusa, and Kawayoshi around odori season.So, what do you think of 2018? Was it surprising or expected? Let me know your thoughts and your predictions for 2019 ^^

[missmyloko]

What’s That Thing? Part 20

On The Twelfth Day Of Fun I present... statistics! A few months ago when I asked people which feature they’d like to see this was the runner up behind what eventually became An Open Letter To The British Museum. I had told the person who asked this question that I would eventually get around to it, so why not do it now at the start of a new year! @1ohiowoman asked: “Would it be possible for you to provide/put together a multi-part spotlight focusing on classes of maiko from 2015 - present from the 5 kagai?” As some of you may have noticed, I really, really like taking a look at the statistics surrounding the karyukai as they can give us a new insight into movements and patterns that we otherwise would not have noticed. So, let’s take a look! For quick viewing all current maiko will remain unaltered, retired members will be in italics, while those in bold have gone on to become geiko or debuted as geiko. Class of 2015 Gion Kobu Mamechika (豆千佳) - February 3rd Mameharu (まめ春) - March 10th Mameryū (まめ柳) - March 10th Koeri (小衿) - May 15th Pontocho Ayaha (あや葉) - February 23rd Ichiyū (市結) - April 10th Ichikoma (市駒) - November 2nd Kamishichiken Naokinu (尚絹) - March 16th Ichikoma (市駒) - October 22nd Naoai (尚あい) - November 11th Miyagawa Cho Fumiyoshi (富美芳) - January 19th Toshiemi (とし恵美) - February 26th Kimisayo (君さ代) - June 11th Fukuno (ふく乃) - October 27th Fukuya (ふく弥) - October 27th Chikasaya (千賀明) - December 9th Chikaharu (千賀遥) - December 9th Gion Higashi Masaki (満彩希) - March 10th Hinayū (雛祐) - March 23rd Kanona (叶菜) - December 1st Total Number of Misedashi: 20 Total Number of Retirements: 8 Pretty decent numbers overall for this year, but oddly enough most kagai only managed to have three debuts. Miyagawa Cho stands out as it had seven debuts, which is 35% of the entire share. What’s even more interesting is that two of these girls have already gone on to become geiko! As can be expected, at least one maiko from each district has left the profession, which makes sense as usually 1 in 3 maiko leave within the first 3 years.  Maiko Toshiemi (とし恵美) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho was part of an exceptional year for that district.

Image courtesy of Kind of Blue. Class of 2016 Gion Kobu Katsuhana (佳つ花) - February 5th Mamekinu (まめ衣) - February 8th Mitsuki (美月) - March 7th Yumeno (夢乃) - March 7th Mamekoma (豆こま) - March 15th Kohana (小花) - May 26th Tomoko (朋子) - June 1st Konami 小なみ) - June 3rd Mametama (豆珠) - December 5th Pontocho Mitsuhana (光はな) - February 29th Momihina (もみ陽菜) - May 26th Kamishichiken Umehina (梅ひな) - July 4th Umekana (梅叶菜) - September 26th Ichiaya (市彩) - November 14th Miyagawa Cho Kikuyae (菊弥江) - January 18th Fumika (富美夏) - January 18th Koen (小えん) - January 29th Fumikyō (富美梗) - February 18th Fukukana (ふく香奈) - February 25th Fukuchika (ふく千華) - February 25th Fukuna (ふく那) - April 21st Chikasuzu (千賀すず) - June 8th Kikusana (菊咲奈) - June 8th Chikasome (千賀染) - December 21st Gion Higashi Masano (満彩野) - December 20th Total Number of Misedashi: 25 Total Number of Retirements: 7 This is an interesting year as Gion Kobu debuted nine girls, almost as many as Miyagawa Cho’s ten! Compared to the previous year there’s been less retirements, but that’s also due to the extra year in between. What I find very fascinating is that all of the maiko still active from Gion Kobu, Pontocho, and Kamishichiken, with the exception of Mametama, are now senior maiko! Out of Miyagawa Cho’s six active maiko from this year only one has been promoted to senior, which is Kikuyae. I’m not too sure why they keep their maiko back, but these same maiko are very likely to all become seniors this year. Fukukana (ふく香奈) of Kawayoshi (河よ志) in Miyagawa Cho poses with her onesan Fukue (ふく恵) on the day of her misedashi. Miyagawa Cho continued to have the most debuts out of the gokagai in 2016.

Image courtesy of Kawayoshi Okiya and Ochaya. Class of 2017 Gion Kobu Yuriha (ゆり葉) - January 21st Tatsuha (多都葉) - January 21st Mameaki (まめ章) - February 16th Mamesaya (豆沙弥) - March 1st Danmitsu (だん満) - October 17th Mamewaka (豆わか) - December 7th Pontocho Momika (もみ香) - February 7th Ichisato (市沙登) - March 1st Kamishichiken Fumiyuki (ふみ幸) - September 26th Umetae (梅たえ) - October 19th Katsuki (勝貴) - October 26th Miyagawa Cho Toshinami (とし菜実) - November 1st Toshinana (とし七菜) - November 1st Kimimoe (君萌) - December 14th Gion Higashi Kanotomo (叶朋) - June 1st Kanowaka (叶和佳) - July 1st Ryōma (涼真) - September 20th Fumine (文音) - October 11th Tomichie (富千英) - October 17th Total Number of Misedashi: 19 Total Number of Retirements: 2 This is an interesting year as you can see that the numbers were far lower than the two previous years. The boom that Miyagawa Cho was having abruptly stopped and they only managed to debut three girls at the very end of the year. Gion Kobu took the crown with seven debuts, but Gion Higashi gave them a run for their money with five! To have so many debuts within one year for such a small kagai is pretty astonishing, and only one maiko from each of those two districts have left. It’s also interesting to note that three women debuted as geiko; Danmitsu and Mamewaka debuted as jikata geiko while former maiko Fukuharu returned to debut as the tachikata geiko Kanowaka. Yuriha (ゆり葉) and Tatsuha (多都葉) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu had a double misedashi during a year that saw Gion Kobu retake the top spot for debuts.

Image courtesy of Photo Tanaka. Class of 2018 Gion Kobu Katsuharu (佳つ春) - January 22nd Mahori (まほ璃) - February Katsumomo (佳つ桃) - February 12th Mizuno (瑞乃) - March 4th Mameyo (豆誉) - March 7th Nanoha (菜乃葉) - March 12th Asuka (あす佳) - March 16th Ichihiro (市紘) - March 17th Konatsu (小奈都) - March 17th Mariko (槇里子) - May 16th Katsuemi (佳つ笑) - May 22nd Miwako (美羽子) - May 28th Mameyui (豆結) - June 6th Emino (恵美乃) - October 9th Mameju (まめ樹) - December 6th Pontocho Ichisumi (市すみ) - January 8th Ichiai (市愛) - March 1st Hidekano (秀華乃) - May 30th Hidemai (秀眞衣) - October 3rd Kamishichiken Umehana (梅はな) - September 13th Umenana (梅なな) - September 25th Umesana (梅さな) - October 2nd Ichigiku (市ぎく) - October 24th Ichiume (市梅) - November 13th Naomai (尚舞) - November 27th Miyagawa Cho Fukuyuri (ふく友利) - January 22nd Koaki (小晶) - June 7th Kimisaki (君咲) - July 5th Gion Higashi Kanochiyo (叶千代) - October 4th Kanohisa (叶久) - October 4th Total Number of Misedashi: 30 Total Number of Retirements: 2 This is the biggest outcome of all four years, and it’s impressive in more ways than one! Gion Kobu continues to grow with a whopping fifteen misedashi, half of the total number! Included in their ranks are another two jikata geiko, which shows that they’re growing in both tachikata and jikata numbers. Miyagawa Cho saw its decline continue with only three new debuts once again. Kamishichiken had an absolute bumper crop of new debuts for such a small district, but sadly two of their new maiko would retire within a month of their debut. Pontocho also had their best year out of the four with four new debuts. Mizuno (瑞乃) of Fukushima (福嶋) in Gion Kobu was part of an unprecedented year that saw her district debut fifteen new maiko and geiko!

Image courtesy of Balbo42. So, what did you all think? Was there something that I missed? Let me know ^^!

[missmyloko]

The Official Gion Kobu Listing of 2019

Just like last year, here’s the official listing of all active maiko and geiko in Gion Kobu as of December 31st, 2018 taken from the kabukai’s official list. A (あ) Asuka (あす佳)(アスカ) of Tsurui (つる居) I (い) Ichiyuri (市有里)(イチユリ) of Nakagishi (中支志) Ichitomi (市十美)(イチトミ) of Nakagishi (中支志) Ichiharu (市晴)(イチハル) of Nakagishi (中支志) Ichihiro (市紘)(イチヒロ) of Nakagishi (中支志) E (え) Emiji (恵美二)(エミジ) of Nakano (中野) Eriha (恵里葉)(エリハ) of Tama (多麻) Emino (恵美乃)(エミノ) of Ninben (亻) Ka (か) Katsugiku (佳つ菊)(カツギク) of Odamoto (小田本) Katsutomo (佳つ智)(カツトモ) of Odamoto (小田本) Katsuhina (佳つ雛)(カツヒナ) of Odamoto (小田本) Katsue (佳つ江)(カツエ) of Odamoto (小田本) Katsuhana (佳つ花)(カツハナ) of Odamoto (小田本) Katsuharu (佳つ春)(カツハル) of Odamoto (小田本) Katsumomo (佳つ桃)(カツモモ) of Odamoto (小田本) Katsuemi (佳つ笑)(カツエミ) of Odamoto (小田本) Ki (き) Kimiya (君彌)(キミヤ) of Yanagi (やなぎ) Kimizuru (君鶴)(キミヅル) of Kineya (きねや) Ko (こ) Komasu (小ます)(コマス) Kofumi (小富美)(コフミ) of Masuume (桝梅) Koman (小萬)(コマン) of Masuume (桝梅) Korin (小りん)(コリン) of Masuume (桝梅) Komomo (小桃)(コモモ) of Kineya (きねや) Kokimi (小喜美)(コキミ) of Masuume (桝梅) Kogiku (���菊)(コギク) of Masuume (桝梅) Koai (小愛)(コアイ) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) Koyō (小耀)(コヨウ) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) Koemi (小恵美)(コエミ) of Masuume (桝梅) Kosen (小扇)(コセン) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) Koyoshi (小芳)(コヨシ) of Nakagishi (中支志) Koeri (小衿)(コエリ) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) Kohana (小花)(コハナ) of Masuume (桝梅) Konami (小なみ)(コナミ) of Nakagishi (中支志) Konatsu (小奈都)(コナツ) of Nakagishi (中支志) Sa (さ) Satomi (里美)(サトミ) Sayaka (紗矢佳)(サヤカ) of Tsurui (つる居) Satsuki (紗月)(サツキ) of Tsurui (つる居) Shi (し) Shino (紫乃)(シノ) of Fukushima (福嶋) So (そ) Sonomi (そ乃美)(ソノミ) of Kineya (きねや) Ta (た) Takeha (竹葉)(タケハ) of Fujimoto (藤本) Dan-e (だん栄)(ダンエ) Takazuru (孝鶴)(タカヅル) of Mikami (三上) Danyū (だん祐)(ダンユウ) of Onaka (大仲) Danka (だん香)(ダンカ) of Onaka (大仲) Tatsuha (多都葉)(タツハ) of Tama (多麻) Danmitsu (だん満)(ダンミツ) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) Chi (ち) Chisako (千紗子)(チサコ) of Nishimura (西村) Tsu (つ) Tsuruha (つる葉)(ツルハ) of Tama (多麻) Te (て) Terutoyo (照豊)(テルトヨ) of Miyazaki (宮崎) To (と) Tomigiku (冨菊)(トミギク) of Shibata (柴田) Tomichiyo (斗美千代)(トミチヨ) of Yanagi (やなぎ) Tomoko (朋子)(トモコ) of Nishimura (西村) Na (な) Nanoha (菜乃葉)(ナノハ) of Tama (多麻) Fu (ふ) Fukue (フク愛)(フクエ) of Onaka (大仲) Fukunami (福奈美)(フクナミ) of Mikami (三上) Fukuha (福葉)(フクハ) of Tama (多麻) Fumikazu (章佳司)(フミカズ) of Odamoto (小田本) Fumino (章乃)(フミノ) of Fukushima (福嶋) Ma (ま) Mamechiyo (豆千代)(マメチヨ) of Manshu (万種) Mamezuru (まめ鶴)(マメヅル) of Kineya (きねや) Mamehiro (豆弘)(マメヒロ) of Ninben (亻) Mameka (まめ花)(マメカ) of Kineya (きねや) Mamechizu (豆千鶴)(マメチヅ) of Mitsuki (光貴) Mameryō (豆涼)(マメリョウ) of Ninben (亻) Mameya (まめ弥)(マメヤ) of Shibata (柴田) Mayuha (満友葉)(マユハ) of Tama (多麻) Mamesuzu (まめ鈴)(マメスズ) of Tama (多麻) Masuho (ます穂)(マスホ) of Tama (多麻) Mao (真生)(マオ) of Okaai (岡あい) Makiko (槇子)(マキコ) of Nishimura (西村) Mamemaru (豆まる)(マメマル) of Shibata (柴田) Mameroku (豆六)(マメロク) of Arai (新井) Masaki (真咲)(マサキ) of Minoyae (美の八重) Marika (茉利佳)(マリカ) of Tsurui (つる居) Mamesumi (豆純)(マメスミ) of Ninben (亻) Mameryū (まめ柳)(マメリュウ) of Tama (多麻) Mameharu (まめ春)(マメハル) of Tama (多麻) Mamekinu (まめ衣)(マメキヌ) of Tama (多麻) Mametama (豆珠)(マメタマ) of Ninben (亻) Mamesaya (豆沙弥)(マメサヤ) of Shibata (柴田) Mamewaka (豆わか)(マメワカ) of Shibata (柴田) Mahori (まほ璃)(マホリ) of Tama (多麻) Mameyo (豆誉)(マメヨ) of Arai (新井) Mariko (槇里子)(マリコ) of Nishimura (西村) Mameyui (豆結)(マメユイ) of Ninben (亻) Mameju (まめ樹)(マメジュ) of Tama (多麻) Mi (み) Mihoko (美帆子)(ミホコ) of Nishimura (西村) Mikako (実佳子)(ミカコ) of Nishimura (西村) Mitsuki (美月)(ミツキ) of Tsurui (つる居) Mizuno (瑞乃)(ミズノ) of Fukushima (福嶋) Miwako (美羽子)(ミワコ) of Nishimura (西村) Yu (ゆ) Yukizono (幸苑)(ユキゾノ) of Tama (多麻) Yukako (有佳子)(ユカコ) of Nishimura (西村) Yuriha (ゆり葉)(ユリハ) of Tama (多麻) Yo (よ) Yoshimame (芳豆)(ヨシマメ) of Shibata (柴田)  

[missmyloko]

The Half Year Summary 2018

Now that we’ve hit the summer lull it’s time to add up the goings on in the karyukai over the past seven months. Like last time shikomi will be listed at the end. Misedashi Ichisumi (市すみ) of Yamaguchi (やまぐち) in Pontocho - January 8th Fukuyuri (ふく友梨) of Horiyae (堀八重) in Miyagawa Cho - January 22nd Katsuharu (佳つ春) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - January 22nd Katsumomo (佳つ桃) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - February 12th Mahori (まほ璃) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - February Ichiai (市愛) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho - March 1st Mizuno (瑞乃) of Fukushima (福嶋) in Gion Kobu - March 4th Mameyo (豆誉) of Arai (新井) in Gion Kobu - March 7th Nanoha (菜乃葉) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - March 12th Asuka (あす佳) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu - March 16th Ichihiro (市紘) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu - March 17th Konatsu (小奈都) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu - March 17th Mariko (槇里子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - May 16th Katsuemi (佳つ笑) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - May 22nd Miwako (美羽子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - May 28th Hidekano (秀華乃) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - May 30th Mameyui (豆結) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - June 6th Koaki (小晶) of Kaden (花傳) in Miyagawa Cho - June 7th Kimisaki (君咲) of Honjo (本城) in Miyagawa Cho - July 5th Erikae Ichitaka (市多佳) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - April 24th Marika (茉利佳) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu - May 25th Tomitsuyu (富津愈) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi - May 28th Ichiaya (市彩) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho - June 9th Leavings Ayaha (あや葉) of Katsumi (勝見) in Pontocho - January Ichitomo (市知) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - January Masami (満彩美) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi - February Katsusen (佳つ扇) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - April Chikasuzu (千賀すず) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - April Ichimomo (市桃) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - April Mamekoma (豆こま) of Shibata (柴田) in Gion Kobu - May Ichikoma (市こま) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - June Shikomi Tama (多麻) of Gion Kobu Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) of Gion Kobu Nishimura (西村) of Gion Kobu Tsurui (つる居) of Gion Kobu Ninben (亻) of Gion Kobu Odamoto (小田本) of Gion Kobu Unknown in Pontocho  Ichi (市) of Kamishichiken Umeno (梅乃) of Kamishichiken x3 Shigemori (しげ森) of Miyagawa Cho x3 Kawayoshi (河よ志) of Miyagawa Cho Hanafusa (花ふさ) of Miyagawa Cho Honjo (本城) of Miyagawa Cho  Kanoya (叶家) of Gion Higashi x2 Dates aren’t officially set yet, but Shigemori (しげ森) of Miyagawa Cho and Umeno (梅乃) of Kamishichiken will both be debuting girls at the end of summer ^^